Young Enterprise Scotland

For some young people, the Young Enterprise Company Programme can lead to the setting up of a real business! 

Former Young Enterprise Company Giglets (whose old Scots name means "laughing children") did just that.

Giglets, "a small company with untold potential" was formed through the Company Programme at Loudoun Academy in Ayrshire in 2006-07.  The young team members decided that, as they had such a viable business idea, they would continue on with the company once they left school.  In practise, because the Company Programme covers all aspects of running a business including the winding down, this meant setting up the business 'for real' - as a limited company.

The product - an illustrated book called Tam O'Haggis - and accompanying CD - aims to give children a flavour of Scottish literature and introduce them to the work of Robert Burns.  Having set up the company while at school, Giglets has benefited from this access to the education markets and the product is now stocked in over half of all Primary Schools in Scotland.  The next book called "Tam O'Haggis: The Life and Times of Robert Burns" will shortly be launched in March 2009.

Despite the members all being full time students at college and university, Giglets is going from strength to strength and its members still find time to give something back to other Young Enterprise companies, by attending events and passing on advice.

Craig Johnstone, Managing Director of Giglets, said:  "Giglets has on a number of occasions been asked to get involved in enterprise events throughout Scotland.  These are in the main on a voluntary basis and it is something which we really enjoy doing.  If giving up a little of our time for other budding young entrepreneurs means that we can help them to achieve what they desire then we are happy to do that."

They all agreed the Company Programme was instrumental in giving them a better idea of what their potential future options were and that "The Young Enterprise Programme is definitely a worthwhile undertaking for any students looking for an introduction to setting up a company."

Gavin Curr, Finance Director, said:  "I would gladly go back to school and participate in the Programme again.  It was thoroughly enjoyable and I learned a great deal from it.  I would strongly recommend it to anyone."

The 6 members of Giglets are:

Craig Johnstone, Gavin Curr, Tom Brodie-Browne, Scott Francis, Kayleigh Wright and Fiona Morton.

Visit Giglets' website on www.giglets.co.uk .

Read what Giglets said about YES here.

On Wednesday 18 March, Giglets launched their second book, "Tam O'Haggis:  The Life and Times of Robert Burns".  The launch took place in the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock and the new book was suitably piped in to up to 100 guests, like a haggis!